Mark Francis has shown that the vocation of the priesthood is vastly more of a privilege than Cardinal Sarah implies by his encouragement that the priest celebrating Mass should face east (“Which way does God face?”, 16 July). If the priest were indeed chosen by the people to represent them, as in Old Testament times, to enter the Holy of Holies and talk on their behalf to a distant, majestic and unapproachable God, then clearly he should go before them, with his back to them and his face towards God. However, at the Crucifixion, the veil of the Holy of Holies was ripped apart, and it is clear from the words of consecration in the Mass that our priest stands in, not for us, but for Christ as we disciples gather round the table of the Last Supper – which is translated through time and space to our altar. (I would also refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paras: 1363–1367.)

Christ did not turn his back on the disciples, so the priest, being “Christ” to the people, prays with them and gathers them to God. To turn away denies his vocation.

Peter Lovat
Caterham, Surrey